Regional ecosystem details for 2.3.20
| Regional ecosystem | 2.3.20 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 7, 2, 8, 1.3, (1.4), (1), (3), (1.2), (10) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 310000 ha; Remnant 2021 309000 ha |
| Short description | Corymbia bella, Eucalyptus pruinosa, C. terminalis, Lysiphyllum cunninghamii in mixed woodlands on active levees and alluvial plains in the west |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Mixed woodland to open woodland, with a combination of the species Corymbia bella, Eucalyptus pruinosa, C. terminalis, Lysiphyllum cunninghamii and E. tectifica. A lower tree or shrub layer may occur, including Melaleuca spp. and Acacia spp. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Chrysopogon fallax, Aristida spp., Heteropogon contortus and Sehima nervosum. Occurs on active levees and Quaternary alluvial plains in the west of the bioregion. Fine sandy brown soils and sandy yellow earths. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 2.3.20a: Mixed woodland to open woodland with combinations of the species Eucalyptus pruinosa, Corymbia terminalis, Lysiphyllum cunninghamii and Corymbia bella. Occasional canopy species include C. confertiflora, C. polycarpa and Grevillea striata. A sparse shrub layer may occur. The ground layer is tussock grasses including Chrysopogon fallax, Sehima nervosum, Dichanthium sericeum and Aristida latifolia. Occurs on active levees on the upper reaches of major watercourses. Red-brown loamy to silty soils. Contains Riverine. (BVG1M: 16b). 2.3.20b: Mixed woodland with combinations of the species Corymbia terminalis, Lysiphyllum cunninghamii and C. bella. Occasional canopy species include Eucalyptus pruinosa, C. aparrerinja, E. microtheca and C. confertiflora. Lower trees and shrubs include Melaleuca spp. and Acacia spp. The ground layer is tussock grasses. Occurs on levees in braided, active Quaternary alluvial systems with coarse-grained parent material from the Northwest Highlands bioregion. Red-brown loamy soils. Contains Riverine. (BVG1M: 16b). 2.3.20c: Corymbia grandifolia and/or Eucalyptus pruinosa open woodland to woodland, commonly with C. terminalis, C. curtipes and Lysiphyllum cunninghamii. Acacia colei, Hakea arborescens and Grevillea striata may occasionally occur. The ground layer is tussock grasses. Occurs on gravelly plains associated with recent alluvial systems; possibly degraded levees. Red sandy, gravelly soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16b). 2.3.20d: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 2.3.20b. Mixed woodland with combinations of the species Corymbia terminalis, Lysiphyllum cunninghamii, C. bella, Eucalyptus pruinosa subsp. pruinosa, E. microtheca, C. confertiflora, C. polycarpa and Grevillea striata. Lower trees and shrubs include Melaleuca spp. and Acacia spp. The ground layer is tussock grasses. Occurs on levees on braided, Quaternary alluvial plains with coarse-grained parent material. Red-brown loamy soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16b). 2.3.20e: Mixed low open woodland to woodland, including combinations of the species Corymbia bella, Eucalyptus chlorophylla, E. tectifica, Erythrophleum chlorostachys, C. curtipes and C. confertiflora. Common canopy species include Eucalyptus pruinosa and Lysiphyllum cunninghamii. A variable shrub layer may occur. The ground layer is tussock grasses. May contain small areas of tussock grassland. Occurs on active levees and minor alluvial plains of watercourses associated with dissected lateritic landscapes (Doomadgee Plains subregion). Sandy loam soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16b). 2.3.20f: Mixed woodland, including combinations of the species Corymbia bella, Corymbia curtipes, Eucalyptus tectifica, Lysiphyllum cunninghamii and C. polycarpa. Occasional canopy species include Erythrophleum chlorostachys and C. confertiflora. Lower trees include Melaleuca spp. and Acacia spp. The ground layer is tussock grasses. Occurs on levees associated with major watercourses in dissected lateritic landscapes (Doomadgee Plains subregion). Sandy loam soils. Contains Riverine. (BVG1M: 16b). 2.3.20g: Mixed low woodland including combinations of the species Eucalyptus chlorophylla, E. pruinosa, Grevillea striata, E. microtheca, Excoecaria parvifolia, Lysiphyllum cunninghamii, Cochlospermum gregorii. Small areas of Aristida spp. open tussock grassland and bare, gravelly areas may occur. Acacia cambagei and Vachellia sutherlandii may occur as groves. Occurs on alluvial deposits around the upper parts of minor watercourses in lateritic landscapes. Sandy and loamy soils with isolated clay patches. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16c). 2.3.20k: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 2.3.20c. Corymbia grandifolia subsp. grandifolia and/or Eucalyptus pruinosa subsp. pruinosa open woodland to woodland, commonly with C. terminalis, C. curtipes and Lysiphyllum cunninghamii. Acacia colei, Hakea arborescens and Grevillea striata may occasionally occur. The ground layer is tussock grasses. Occurs on plains associated with recent alluvial systems; possibly old degraded levees. Red sandy, gravelly soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16b). 2.3.20n: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 2.3.20e. Mixed woodland with combinations of the species Corymbia bella, Eucalyptus chlorophylla, C. polycarpa, E. tectifica, C. curtipes, C. confertiflora, Eucalyptus pruinosa subsp. pruinosa and Corymbia grandifolia subsp. grandifolia. Grevillea striata, Erythrophleum chlorostachys and Melaleuca viridiflora occasionally occur. May contain small areas of Eriachne glauca, Eragrostis concinna and Cyperus sp. tussock grassland. Occurs on levees and minor alluvial plains of watercourses associated with dissected lateritic landscapes (Doomadgee Plains subregion). Sandy loam soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16b). 2.3.20p: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 2.3.20f. Mixed woodland including combinations of the species Corymbia bella, Corymbia curtipes, Lysiphyllum cunninghamii, Erythrophleum chlorostachys, Eucalyptus pruinosa subsp. pruinosa, Eucalyptus tectifica, C. confertiflora, C. polycarpa, Eucalyptus leptophleba and Atalaya hemiglauca. Lower trees include Melaleuca spp. and Acacia spp. The ground layer is tussock grasses. Occurs on levees associated with major watercourses in dissected lateritic landscapes (Doomadgee Plains subregion). Sandy loam soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16b). 2.3.20t: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 2.3.19 and 2.3.70. Eucalyptus leptophleba or Eucalyptus pruinosa subsp. pruinosa open woodland to low woodland, commonly with Corymbia confertiflora, Erythrophleum chlorostachys, Lysiphyllum cunninghamii, Corymbia grandifolia subsp. grandifolia and Eucalyptus chlorophylla. The ground layer is tussock grasses. Occurs on old alluvial plains (recent Pleistocene surface) derived from coarse-grained parent material. Brown silty clays and loams. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16b). 2.3.20x1a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 2.3.69a. Mixed tussock grassland including combinations of the species Dichanthium sericeum subsp. polystachyum, Aristida spp., Eulalia aurea, Eriachne spp. Emergent Atalaya hemiglauca, Eucalyptus microtheca, Eucalyptus pruinosa subsp. pruinosa, Corymbia spp. and Excoecaria parvifolia may occur. Occurs on braided Quaternary alluvial plains derived from coarse-grained parent material. Brown silty clays and loams. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 32a). 2.3.20x1b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 2.3.69a. Aristida latifolia, Brachyachne convergens, Sporobolus spp., Chloris spp. and Dactyloctenium radulans tussock grassland. Emergent Atalaya hemiglauca, Eucalyptus microtheca, Eucalyptus pruinosa subsp. pruinosa, Corymbia spp., Excoecaria parvifolia and Acacia cambagei may occur. Occurs on braided Quaternary alluvial plains derived from coarse-grained parent material. Brown silty clays and loams. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 32a). 2.3.20x1c: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 2.3.69a. Mixed tussock grassland including combinations of the species Chrysopogon fallax, Aristida spp., Bothriochloa sp., Heteropogon contortus, Schizachyrium spp., and Panicum spp. Emergent Eucalyptus microtheca may occur. Occurs on levees on braided watercourses in broad clay plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 32a). 2.3.20x1d: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 2.3.58. Eriachne glauca var. glauca, Oryza australiensis and Eulalia aurea tussock grassland. Occurs in shallow alluvial depressions in lateritic landscapes (subject to seepage from ferricrete surfaces). Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 32a). 2.3.20x1e: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 2.3.57. Panicum trachyrhachis closed tussock grassland. Occurs in shallow depressions on silty, old alluvial plains (recent Pleistocene surface). Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 32a). 2.3.20x2: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is now mapped as 2.3.20g. Mixed low woodland including combinations of the species Eucalyptus chlorophylla, Eucalyptus pruinosa subsp. pruinosa, Grevillea striata, E. microtheca, Excoecaria parvifolia, Lysiphyllum cunninghamii, Cochlospermum gregorii. Small areas of Aristida spp. and Triodia pungens grassland and bare, gravelly areas may occur. Acacia cambagei and Vachellia sutherlandii may occasionally occur as groves. Occurs on alluvial deposits around the upper parts of minor watercourses in lateritic landscapes. Sandy and loamy soils with isolated clay patches. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16c). 2.3.20x3: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is now mapped as 2.3.42c. Eucalyptus microtheca low open woodland to woodland, commonly with Excoecaria parvifolia, Grevillea striata, Lysiphyllum cunninghamii and Atalaya hemiglauca. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Aristida spp., Chrysopogon fallax, Dichanthium spp., Brachyachne convergens and Sporobolus australasicus. Occurs on Quaternary alluvial plains derived from coarse-grained parent material. Brown silty clays and loams. Associated with the Armraynald Plains and Doomadgee Plains subregions. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16c). 2.3.20x4: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is now mapped as 2.3.63. Eucalyptus microtheca low open woodland to woodland, commonly with Excoecaria parvifolia, Lysiphyllum cunninghamii and Corymbia terminalis. The ground layer is tussock grasses including Enteropogon minutus and Chrysopogon elongatus. Occurs on scroll plains of major watercourses, associated with meanders in their lower reaches. Sandy clay soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16c). |
| Supplementary description | Christian et al. (1954), Gregory, Balbarini, Keighran; Perry et al. (1964), Cloncurry, Georgina, Gregory, Armraynald |
| Protected areas | Lawn Hill (Widdallion) RR, Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) NP, Lawn Hill (Creek) RR, Lawn Hill (Arthur Creek) RR, Lawn Hill (Gregory) RR, Lawn Hill (Gregory River Base) RR |
| Special values | 2.3.20: Provincial refuge for some woodland flora and fauna. 2.3.20a: Provincial refuge for some woodland flora and fauna. 2.3.20b: Provincial refuge for some woodland flora and fauna. 2.3.20d: Provincial refuge for some woodland flora and fauna. 2.3.20f: Provincial refuge for some woodland flora and fauna. 2.3.20p: Provincial refuge for some woodland flora and fauna. 2.3.20x1d: Supports plant growth well into the dry season. Provincial refuge for flora and fauna. 2.3.20x4: Provincial refuge for some woodland flora and fauna. A restricted geomorphic surface. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Dry season. Begin burning early in the fire season, followed by progressive patch fires burnt through the year. INTENSITY: Various. INTERVAL: 1-5 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 1. INTERVAL_MAX: 5. STRATEGY: Burn less than 30% in any year. No buffer necessary as this is a fire tolerant community. ISSUES: Maintaining a fire mosaic will ensure protection of animal habitats and mitigate against wildfires. Removal of cattle to allow recovery of the ground layer and accumulation of fuel is an important aspect of managing this vegetation. Management of this inherently stable, and fire tolerant vegetation type should be based on maintaining animal habitats and preventing extensive wildfire. |
| Comments | 2.3.20: Survey required to verify condition. Subject to high grazing pressure, particularly during wet season. Buffel grass *Cenchrus spp., displacing native species. 2.3.20a: Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure, particularly during wet season, and invasion by exotic species. 2.3.20b: Was previously mapped as 2.3.20d. Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure, particularly during wet season, and invasion by exotic species. 2.3.20c: A poorly known vegetation community. Was previously mapped as 2.3.20k. 2.3.20d: Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure, particularly during wet season, and invasion by exotic species. 2.3.20e: Was previously mapped as 2.3.20n. Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure and invasion by exotic species. 2.3.20f: Was previously mapped as 2.3.20p. Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure, particularly during wet season, and invasion by exotic species. 2.3.20g: Was previously mapped as 2.3.20x2. Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure. 2.3.20k: A poorly known vegetation community. 2.3.20n: Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure and invasion by exotic species. 2.3.20p: Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure, particularly during wet season, and invasion by exotic species. 2.3.20t: A poorly known ecosystem, requiring further study. 2.3.20x1a: Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure. 2.3.20x1b: Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure. 2.3.20x1c: Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure. 2.3.20x1d: A poorly surveyed vegetation community. 2.3.20x1e: A poorly surveyed vegetation community. 2.3.20x2: Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure. 2.3.20x3: Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure. |
1 Estimated extent is from version 13.1 pre-clearing and 2021 remnant regional ecosystem mapping. Figures are rounded for simplicity. For more precise estimates, including breakdowns by tenure and other themes see remnant vegetation in Queensland.
2 Superseded: Revision of the regional ecosystem classification removed this regional ecosystem code from use. It is included in the regional ecosystem description database because the RE code may appear in older versions of RE mapping and the Vegetation Management regulation.
